UK House Speaker asked to quit

Parliamentarians in the UK called for the House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin to quit over his handling of an expenses fracas.



The Members of Parliament said they also want a debate and a vote of no confidence in Mr. Martin.



The calls follow a week of damaging media revelations about MPs\' expenses and criticism of the way Mr. Martin handled the row.



Mr. Martin has since apologised for the expenses scandal.



He also outlined steps he will be taking ahead of the findings of an independent inquiry into the allowances system, expected in the autumn.



These include asking party leaders to meet him and members of the House of Commons Commission within 48 hours to look at what proposals for reform could be agreed upon and put to MPs for approval.